In his biennial State of the Judiciary address on Wednesday, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson urged the Legislature to protect legal aid funding — and renewed his call for the reform of judicial elections.

The budget crisis threatens to leave the state's neediest without legal representation, Jefferson said, and even now "the courthouse door is closed to many who have lost their jobs, veterans and women who struggle with physical abuse." As he asked the Legislature to appropriate $20 million in general revenue dollars for basic civil legal services, he said 6 million Texans currently eligible for legal ...

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"merit selection" destroys Judicial Independence. that is; the ability of the Judges to rule without concern of retaliation from the Executive or Legislative Divisions. It is contrary to the republican form of government mandated by our US and Texas Constitutions. It won't be "merit" that determines selection. It will be only those who are politically connected. It will lead to a ruling elite that will reduce the common citizen to the status of second class.